Thalia’s hands trembled as she gripped her phone, staring blankly at the screen. She hadn’t even started the engine when Franklin’s call came through.

“Lia… I’m on my way. I heard the news already. Please… be calm,” he said, sounding so worried as expected.

Thalia let out a hollow, broken laugh that twisted through her chest like a knife. Her tears fell uncontrollably, rolling down her cheeks. She smirked through her tears bitterly, so bitter that it didn’t even look ...